JOURNALS & BLOGS

Other Columns

Martin Luther King Day

"A Day of Service" is proper tribute to Martin
Luther King, Jr.

By Sam Johnson

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been
83 years old this Sunday, January 15th had he lived. He was assassinated on
April 14, 1968. He was only 39 years old when he was murdered. The total of what King could have
accomplished, no one will ever know. But what he DID accomplish, changed
American society forever, and left an indelible mark on the world. One of the most important things he left
us was his dream; a message of hope and optimism for a better world that many
people continue to share and work toward today. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great
teacher who taught us many things: that people can and do make a difference;
that we are responsible not only for ourselves, but also for each other; that
changes can take place if actively though not violently pursued; and that we
can indeed make our dreams come true and our world a better place.

MLK Day Resources

As we prepare to commemorate "Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day" this Monday, the day designated by our nation's
government to remember the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., it is
fitting that the focus be on "A National Day of Service," an idea
that goes back to legislation passed by Congress in 1994 encouraging the King
Federal Holiday to be observed in this way. The Corporation for National Community
Service (CNCS) is a federal agency designated by Congress to lead this effort,
and supports President Obama’s national call to service program, “United We
Serve,” which asks all Americans to come together on the King Holiday to serve
their neighbors and communities.Robert Velasco, acting CEO of CNCS,
noted that "Dr. King devoted his
life to advancing equality, social justice, and economic opportunity for all,
and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought
to be. "Now more
than ever, we need to take heed of Dr. King's teachings, and work together to
achieve his dream. Volunteer service is a powerful way to strengthen
economic opportunity. And when better to start than on the day we honor Dr.
King?"Mr. Velasco added that CNCS is
calling on all Americans to help make MLK Day a "day on, not a day
off," and to that purpose has developed several signature
initiatives, including a partnership with the Scholastic corporation to create
and distribute MLK curriculum for grades 3-5. CNCS is also working with a variety of nonprofit and community
groups, faith-based organizations, schools and businesses nationwide to help
Americans turn the MLK Day into a National Day of Service to make an impact in
their communities.Information on these
programs, including details about local service opportunities, is available at
their website: MLKDay.gov.This year marks the 26th
anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday.By making MLK
Day a "Day of Service," we have an opportunity to join friends, neighbors,
and local leaders to make a difference, no matter how big or small, whether it
be delivering meals to seniors unable to cook for themselves, collecting food
and clothing for local pantries, churches, or other groups that help provide
support for those in need, or by volunteering in our local schools or libraries
to read a book or share a story.By making MLK Day a
"Day of Service" we shine a spotlight on service as a powerful force
to bridge economic and social divides – today and throughout the year -- and
this is very much in keeping with most valuable lessons that the Reverend Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us.Dr. King told
us that “what self-centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build
up," and that by working together we can make a difference in the lives of
others to help make sure “that people everywhere have three meals a day for
their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and
freedom for their spirits.”Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Life’s
most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?' "What a great question to ask ourselves
this week as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.